The past weeks have been a blur of emotion, daily tasks and more. I did not expect such a huge time to need for processing my experiences in Africa, yet it has all been worth it! I have so many pieces of Africa floating inside me, it is hard to choose where to start when I share with others. I usually begin with little nibbles of info because I don't know what is wanted from me. And even sometimes I feel that if I depart from the information, it won't return to me. What a silly notion, yet it is the only way I can describe how I cherish my experience so!
One story that I will and must share with you started a while back. And I had typed it all up intending to send it off and the computer I was using froze! Yikes! So here goes....
We were at Kondwa having a late lunch with Angela and her friend Marianne. An older man was there talking with her when we arrived. He was tall and thin, with white hair and a long white, yellowing beard. He wore a simple white tunic, brown slacks, sandals & a thin white "beanie" on his head. It was a very traditional Muslim way to dress. There was also a younger man with him who I found later to be the one driving. When the older man left the room, Angela explained that he was of the Muslim faith. It is a very popular belief in Lusaka because the Muslim Church will pay you to receive their religion. Monthly stipends, help with food & board.
When he returned to the room, a lovely young girl was with him. She looked to be 8-10 years old. Angela commented how pretty she looked in her dress. "Your best dress on, eh?" It reminded me of a traditional hispanic dress. White cotton with colorful striped, broad collar with lace, fitted waist. Her hair in braids, worn sandals. She waited by the door quietly, almost shyly, happily as the older man discussed something with Angela. He then turned, took the girl's hand and they both left. Angela then told us about them.
The older man was the young girl's grandfather and they had come to say thank you & goodbye. He was taking her to an orphanage today where she will live. The grandfather can no longer afford to take care of her. Angela helped them find the orphanage and the family sees this as a wonderful opportunity for the young girl. “It is a privilege,” Angela says.
Imagine being this girl. Imagine being the adult that takes the child away to a better place. I followed them out and by the time I got to the school yard they were in the car with the younger man, driving away. I wanted to talk with them, say goodbye too. I went back to Angela who helped me understand this situation.
Orphans in Africa (the number is exceeding 2 million today) are children that have lost one or both parents. Orphanages are not just bare-bone shelters. They are home to these children. Single or “half” or Double orphans are usually taken in by other relatives or people in the villages. And most of these families have hardships of their own. So this is why going to an orphanage is seen as a privilege. There is a selection process they must go through and it helps if you know someone familiar with the system. That is why so many people go to Angela for help. Orphanages or homes make sure the children go to school. They work at the homes – gardening, laundry, cooking, crafts to sell, etc. They have friends, adult support, a place to sleep, food, running water, clothes, shoes, a toilet.
Poverty is the number one reason why people die of AIDS, Malaria, dysentery. Poverty is what makes an orphanage a wonderful place for a child. I am moved by this story because it shows what little I knew. So many may see this as a sad scenario and I initially reacted this way as well. And I now understand poverty in Africa. Who am I to say that they don’t have enough? I saw many happy families, children thriving in the compound. Have I compared these people to our own standards of living here in the US? What would you do without the luxuries of tv, ipods, Playstation?. Fuel is cheap here compared to Lusaka. Could you go without drinking water every time you were thirsty? What do you consider bare necessities? Poverty is only what happens to you. For many it is not the way they love, think and act. It is not who they are, it is only what they live in and what they call it is life. And I see them being so much richer than me.
- Hillary
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu
Purpose:
Purpose:
This desire to visit Zambia is least about tourism and more about becoming better students of culture, and more about self-awareness, and most about examining our shared humanity. It has been our dream to visit Africa, to listen to her rhythm, to learn some steps to her dance. Our philanthropic agenda is straightforward and certainly open to suggestion. In short, we want to embrace the challenges and needs of the local families, nurture and support existing programs, and collaborate on future goals and growth of services. Meeting basic needs as clean water, food, safe shelter, companionship and self-esteem, these are viable activities worthy of our volunteer time. Upon our return, we are committed to educating our communities about the plights of Africa, and seeding environments for more growth in service programs.
Destinations/Organizations to Support:
1.The Kondwa Children’s Foundation, Lusaka, Zambia
2.The Body Shop Community Trade supplier in Northern Zambia.
3. Working with children at various orphanage facilities in Zambia.
Travel Dates:September 6 - 25th 2007
This desire to visit Zambia is least about tourism and more about becoming better students of culture, and more about self-awareness, and most about examining our shared humanity. It has been our dream to visit Africa, to listen to her rhythm, to learn some steps to her dance. Our philanthropic agenda is straightforward and certainly open to suggestion. In short, we want to embrace the challenges and needs of the local families, nurture and support existing programs, and collaborate on future goals and growth of services. Meeting basic needs as clean water, food, safe shelter, companionship and self-esteem, these are viable activities worthy of our volunteer time. Upon our return, we are committed to educating our communities about the plights of Africa, and seeding environments for more growth in service programs.
Destinations/Organizations to Support:
1.The Kondwa Children’s Foundation, Lusaka, Zambia
2.The Body Shop Community Trade supplier in Northern Zambia.
3. Working with children at various orphanage facilities in Zambia.
Travel Dates:September 6 - 25th 2007
Get Involved:
Get Involved:
Now that we're back from Zambia we have more ways for you to help out!
Here's what we're working on right now:
1. Gia is putting together a care package to Angela (school director/creator) in the beg of Feb. for the kids at Kondwa centre. She said they are currently in need of socks. The kids age in range from 4-8 yrs old. If you would like to donate please contact Gia.
2. We have HIV pins to sell at $5 a piece. They were made by the widow's group. Gia would love to send the money to Angela with the care package for the widows. I am happy to mail them to anyone who would like to purchase them. About 30 left!!
3. If you would like a tax write off you can always donate to the Kondwa Centre directly via this website. www.kondwa.org
The money is being used to help fund the new primary school! It's were we spent time "digging" with the caretakers. A great way to invest in the children's future!
Keep checking back to see what's needed.
Thanks for your continued support!!
Now that we're back from Zambia we have more ways for you to help out!
Here's what we're working on right now:
1. Gia is putting together a care package to Angela (school director/creator) in the beg of Feb. for the kids at Kondwa centre. She said they are currently in need of socks. The kids age in range from 4-8 yrs old. If you would like to donate please contact Gia.
2. We have HIV pins to sell at $5 a piece. They were made by the widow's group. Gia would love to send the money to Angela with the care package for the widows. I am happy to mail them to anyone who would like to purchase them. About 30 left!!
3. If you would like a tax write off you can always donate to the Kondwa Centre directly via this website. www.kondwa.org
The money is being used to help fund the new primary school! It's were we spent time "digging" with the caretakers. A great way to invest in the children's future!
Keep checking back to see what's needed.
Thanks for your continued support!!
We Support:
The Kondwa Children's Foundation:
The name Kondwa means "Be Happy."
This name encompasses the mission of the Kondwa Children's Foundation, which is to bring happiness and hope to the lives of orphaned children and communities impoverished by the effects of HIV/AIDS in the slums of Lusaka, Zambia in Africa.
Almost 20% of the children in Zambia are now orphans. On average, these children will live to be only 34 years old. The toll of HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty on Zambia and other African counties is staggering, but there are many ways for individuals to make a difference and help.
The Mission of the Kondwa Day Center:
Kondwa serves many physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the orphans.
To improve the quality of life of orphans whose parents or caregivers have died of AIDS and HIV related diseases.
To give love, care and counseling to the children.
To provide pre-school education and to seek funding for formal education.
To prepare orphaned children with life skills.
To serve nourishing meals and attend to medical needs.
To raise awareness about HIV / AIDS among the children, their guardians and center volunteers.
To provide spiritual guidance to the children and their guardians.
The program staff is 100% volunteer.
Where is Kondwa?
It is located in the Ng’ombe compound on the outskirts of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Zambia is one of the southern countries in Africa, an area most affected by the AIDS virus.
The name Kondwa means "Be Happy."
This name encompasses the mission of the Kondwa Children's Foundation, which is to bring happiness and hope to the lives of orphaned children and communities impoverished by the effects of HIV/AIDS in the slums of Lusaka, Zambia in Africa.
Almost 20% of the children in Zambia are now orphans. On average, these children will live to be only 34 years old. The toll of HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty on Zambia and other African counties is staggering, but there are many ways for individuals to make a difference and help.
The Mission of the Kondwa Day Center:
Kondwa serves many physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the orphans.
To improve the quality of life of orphans whose parents or caregivers have died of AIDS and HIV related diseases.
To give love, care and counseling to the children.
To provide pre-school education and to seek funding for formal education.
To prepare orphaned children with life skills.
To serve nourishing meals and attend to medical needs.
To raise awareness about HIV / AIDS among the children, their guardians and center volunteers.
To provide spiritual guidance to the children and their guardians.
The program staff is 100% volunteer.
Where is Kondwa?
It is located in the Ng’ombe compound on the outskirts of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Zambia is one of the southern countries in Africa, an area most affected by the AIDS virus.
